Flying with eBike

[Erik Timmerman]

Is it legal to fly with an eBike? Those are some big batteries on the bikes and they aren't universal so it's not like you could leave yours at home and grab another when you get to your destination.

 

[RobSN]

American Airlines have told me no, because my Pinion bike looks like it might be an e-bike with its gearbox in the bottom bracket. Only when I explain that that thing is a gearbox not a motor do they relent.

 

[Unpiste]

Could you ship the battery separately? I doubt it's small enough to be allowed onboard.

 

[Philpug]

Here are some of the parameters:

Take an electric bike on a plane: Dealing with the battery! | eBikesHQ.com

Wouldn’t it be great to take your electric bike on a plane while you travel? Depending on where you plan to go, you can tour…

ebikeshq.com

Can You Take an Electric Bike on a Plane?

In the United States (and in many other nations worldwide), the powerful lithium batteries that fuel your electric bike are prohibited on passenger aircraft. So, unfortunately, you cannot take most electric bike batteries on an airplane.“Lithium batteries, which power everyday devices, can catch...

www.evelo.com

So unless you use smaller batteries, no.

 

[Seldomski]

https://www.fedex.com/content/dam/fedex/us-united-states/services/Shipping-Lithium-Batteries-via-FedEx-Ground.pdf

I haven't looked at e-bikes specifically, but generally anything comparable to a laptop battery or other power supply battery bricks must be carried on the plane (up to 100 W-hr). Shipping anything bigger than that is usually limited to ground transport only.

FAA regs:

eCFR :: 49 CFR 175.10 -- Exceptions for passengers, crewmembers, and air operators.

www.ecfr.gov

Some exceptions for wheeled mobility devices (wheelchair) up to 300 W-hr.

 

[EricG]

Another reason to not own an ebike..

 

[Philpug]

Another reason to not own an ebike..

Not for me. Since I don’t fly with my bike. And considering that the OP doesn’t have one or intends to...I Am sure it was just being a good citizen and it is a question just to help create community awareness.

 

[Erik Timmerman]

Not for me. Since I don’t fly with my bike. And considering that the OP doesn’t have one or intends to...I Am sure it was just being a good citizen and it is a question just to help create community awareness.

Nope, been looking at some nice rides around Alta Badia. I think with a Creo for Bonnie it could make a nice vacation.

 

[Philpug]

Nope, been looking at some nice rides around Alta Badia. I think with a Creo for Bonnie it could make a nice vacation.

After all of your dissing and making fun of them? Pardon me if I show some scepticism.

 

[Jwrags]

If the battery is more than 300 wh or cannot be broken down to two less than 160 then looks like you are out of luck. If this can be accomplished you need to get permission from the airline to carry them on.

 

[Jersey Skier]

Nope, been looking at some nice rides around Alta Badia. I think with a Creo for Bonnie it could make a nice vacation.

With a Creo you can fly with the main battery removed from the bike since it's too large. But you are allowed to bring two range extender batteries since they are under the limits imposed by airlines. Not convenient, expensive, but totally doable.

 

[Seldomski]

Not only are you using an e-bike to cheat on the trail, but you are using a passenger jet to get to the trailhead??! Outrage!